Idaho Digital Learning Academy sees enrollment growth; superintendent proposes cutting student course fee to $40

Jared Tetrault, LSO deputy division manager, told the committee that the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) is now established as its own division and that its appropriation is tied to course enrollments rather than a fixed line under the public schools appropriation. "The number of estimated enrollments in the current year was budgeted at 49,680. Current number hovering closer to 52,000," Tetrault said, noting IDLA is funded at $430 per eligible enrollment under the revised formula from last session (House Bill 452).

IDLA Superintendent Jeff Simmons told the committee the academy recorded significant growth in several program areas and that the agency has increased its reserves as enrollments rose. He said the program now has about 101 full-time positions, roughly 444 part-time teachers and 43 active part-time principals, and reported a fiscal year 2024 year-end unrestricted balance that…